Fire engine pump governor



JNVENToR 5 Sheeizksheet l R/CHARD Cupr /VEPPE/Q n c. NEPPER FIRE ENGINEPUMP GOVERNOR June 23, 1953 Filed sept 22, 1949 June 23, 1953 R. c.NEPPER 2,642,805

l FIRE ENGIANE PUMP GOVERNORv v y Imam/role.v 'k I /P/CHARDC//Rf/l/EPPER.

1 L L "Qi l R. c NEPPR-f- Fm: msm: Pull? cvm'n June 23, 1953 s tsxmfasnma mea sept. 2z, 1949 INVENTOA ICHA RD CupT/l/EPPER June 23, 1953 medsept 2z. 1949 Patented June 23, 1953 FIRE ENGINE PUMP GOVERNOR RichardCurt Nepper, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, toAhrens-Fox, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationSeptember 22, 1949, 'Serial No. 117,253 9 claims. (o1. 10s- 17) rIhisinvention pertains to kan improved lgovernor control for fire enginepumping apparatus. More particularly, this invention pertains to a newtype of hydraulic governor for fire engine pumps.

One of the objects of this invention .is to control the speed of thedriving vengine of the lpumper by means of suitable throttle actuatingdevices in response to vibrations lin power demand as one or moredischarge outlets of the pump are opened or closed.

Another object of this invention is to have a hydraulic power controlcylinder to actuate the throttle mechanism of one or more carburetors ofthe driving engine of -a re engine pumper, the piston in the cylinderbeing controlled by two hydraulically loaded control valves which areresponsive to variations in the delivery pressure from the re pump. f

Still another object of this invention is to .provide a throttle control.mechanism for a fire engine pumper which hydraulically actuates thethrottle of the driving engine in accordance with the pressure deliveredby the water pump so as to automatically maintain a .predetermineddischarge pressure for the pump for any condition of hose line demandfrom the pump.

Further features and advantages of this invention will appear from adetailed description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the essential elements andarrangement of thel improved hydraulic fire pump governor controlsystem.

Figure 2 is a plan view, partly in section on the line 2-2 of Figures 3,4 and 5, showing the hydraulic cylinder actuating mechanism for thethrottles of the carburetors of the driving engine.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figures 2, 4 and 5.

Figure 4 is a Isectional View on the line 4 4 of Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional View similar to Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the pressure control unit. Y

Figure '7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of a portion ofFigure 6, particularly showing residual pressure holding valve andrpiston cup assembly of the pressure control unit.

For illustrative purposes this invention is shown applied to a 'fireengine pumper, Figure 1, having a main driving engine I0 which isconnected through the usual transmission YII and drive shaft I2 to drivethe water pump I3, the engine having suitable carburetor mechanism shownat I4. v The water pump I3 has `a .suction inlet I5 and a dischargemanifold I6 having a series of hose coupling outlets Il and I8 to whichany number vand variety of hoses may be connected ina well knownmanner.f l

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 below the car buretors I4', there isprovided a .set of governor control throttle valves 1.9, mounted onshafts rod 28 of the throttle actuating cylinder 29. A

suitable piston 30 .is fixed to the inner :end ofthe piston rod .28 andoperates in the bore 3l of the cylinder .29 which forms the fluidpressure 'cham ber y32 for actuating the piston 30 for outward movementof the rod 28 limited by the stop sleeve 28a to `close the governorcontrol throttle valves I9 so .as to reduce the speed and power of theengine. A compression spring 33. acting between the surface 34 of thepiston 30 and the surface 35 of the mounting bracket 36 carrying thecylinder 29 on the engine intake manifold 23a, normally urges the rod 28in a direction to open the governor control throttle valves I9.

Fluid pressure for actuating the piston 30 by application of pressure inthe chamber 32 is derived from the oil pump or similar fluid pressuresource 31 driven from the main driving engine in a conventional manner.The pump 31 receives its supply from the crankcase yreservoir 31athrough a suction line 38 and transmits pressure through the pressureline 39 which in turn is connected to the passageway 40 on the controlvalve body portion 29a of the Acylinder 29. The inlet passageway 40connects through a suitable fluid resistance 4| with the passageway orbore 42 which in turn opens into the ball valve chamber 43 containingthe inlet ballvalve 44. The ball valve chamber 43 connects through thepassageway 45, Figure 2, with the pressure chamber 32 of the cylinder29. The pressure chamber 32 of the cylinder 2 9 also connects throughthe .passageway 46, Figure 2, with the ball valve chamber containing thedischarge b'all valve 4B. The chamber 41 connects through l thepassageway -or bore 49 and a suitable fluid resistance yllwith :ther,discharge or return line k5| which conveys Huid l.back to thereservoir 31.

The ball valve 44 is arranged to close against the valve seat 52 and isconfined in proper operative position in the chamber 43 by the bushing53 fixed in the valve body portion 29a. A plunger 54, axially slidablein the bore 42 on a solid head 55 and spaced guide surfaces 56 for freepassage of liquid from bore 42 into the chamber 43, is operable to holdthe ball valve 44 off the valve seat 52. A similar plunger 51 operatingin the bore 58, in the bushing 53, serves to hold the ball Valve 44against the seat 52. The ball valve 48 is arranged to close against theseat 59 and is confined in proper operative position in the chamber 41by the bushing 60 fixed in the valve body portion 29a. A plunger 6|,similar to the plungers 54 and 51, is axially slidable in the bore 49and is operable to hold the ball valve 48 away from the seat 59. Asimilar plunger 62, axially slidable in the bore 63 of the bushing 60,serves to move the ball valve 48 into engagement with the seat 59.

Across the heads 54a and 62a is a resilient diaphragm 64 of suitablecomposition material which is held in place by the pressure chambercover 65 secured to the valve body portion 290J by suitable bolts 66.The pressure chamber 61 in the pressure chamber cover 65 is connectedthrough a line 68 and the shut-off valve 69 to the discharge manifold |6of the water pump, so that Water pressure in the manifold will beapplied in the chamber 61. Suitable bleeder line 10 and valve 10a ispovided to remove any trapped air in this circuit.

Over the heads 51a and 6|a of the respective plungers 51 and 6|, thereis provided a second resilient diaphragm 12 of suitable compositionmaterial which is held in place by the pressure chamber cover 13,secured to the valve body portion by suitable bolts 14. The pressurechamber 15 in the pressure chamber cover 13 is connected through a line16 with the outlet bushing 11 of the pressure control unit 18, shownbest in Figures 6 and '1. A suitable air bleeder 19 is provided for theline 16 to remove entrapped air in this circuit. A pressure gauge h 8|is also connected into the line 16.

The pressure control unit 18 comprises a reservoir portion 82 containinga supply of oil 83 which is poured into the reservoir through the fillercap 84. Below the reservoir is the pressure cylinder portion 85 having abore 86 in which is reciprocatably mounted the piston 81 having thepiston cup 88. The piston cup 88 `is normally held against the piston 81by a compression spring 89 which abuts at its other end against thevalve washer 90 to normally hold the valve washer against the seat 9|provided on the end of the outlet bushing 11. On the valve washer 90 iscarried the spring loaded residual poppet valve 92 having a head 93 withan annular lip 94 engaging the recessed seat surface 95 on the valveWasher 90. A compression spring 96 acting between the Outer face 91 ofthe washer valve 90 and the collar 98 fixed to the end of the valve stem99 of the valve 92, serves to normally hold the annular lip 94 againstthe seat face 95.

Fluid 83 from the reservoir 82 enters the cylinder bore 86 through thegravity passageway |00 when the piston cup is in retracted position asshown in Figures 6 and 7. Leakage past the cup 88 passes through theholes |0| into the chamber |02 around the piston 81 and is returned tothe reservoir through the passageway |03. The rear end of the pStOn. 87S guided in the bore 88 by the flanged portion |04 which also supportsthe seal |05 to prevent leakage of fluid from the chamber |02. A washer|06 held in place by a snap ring |01 serves as a retracted positionlimit stop for the piston 81.

The piston 81 is connected through a rod |08 to the pressure collar |09reciprocatably mounted in a bore ||0 in the bracket fastened to thecylinder portion 85 by suitable screws ||2. A compression spring |3abuts against the face ||4 of the collar |09 and engages at its otherend the face ||5 of the nut ||6 operating on the threaded portion ||1 ofthe screw ||8. The screw is journaled in the bearing bushing ||9 andheld against axial movement by the thrust bearing |20 supportedappropriately in the outer end of the housing |2| fixed to the member bysuitable screws |22. An operating handwheel |23 is fixed to the outerend of the screw for rotation of the screw ||8 to axially reciprocatethe nut ||6 to thereby vary the pressure exerted by the spring ||3 onthe piston 81.

As the piston cup 88 moves forward to the right vof the passageway ||0,Figures 6 and 7, pressure is built up in the cylinder bore 86 which istransmitted to the line 16 and the pressure chamber 15 for controllingthe operation of the valve plungers 51 and 6|. When the piston is movedto the right, Figures 6 and 7, the valve 92 is opened to allow fluidunder pressure to be sent into the pressure chamber 15. When the pistonis stationary at the desired setting indicating by the gauge 8|, theresidual valve mechanism functions to maintain a several poundsdifferential between the fluid pressure in chamber 15 and the line 16relative to the pressure in the cylinder portion 85. This slight excesspressure in chamber 15 and line 16 serves to prevent drainage back intothe reservoir and avoids the possibility of cavitation in the system ina manner common to well known hydraulic braking systems for automotivevehicles. The piston cup 88 in the bore provides the sole means formaintaining the overall pressure in the control circuit comprising theline 16 and the pressure chamber 15.

The ball valves 44 and 48 are thus loaded on one end through thediaphragm 12 by hydraulic oil pressure from the control unit 18. Thesetting of this unit is determined by the pressure required by anyparticular number or size of hose outlets being used. The opposite endsof these ball valves 44 and 48 are loaded through the diaphragm 64 bythe water pressure from the discharge manifold |6 from the pump I3. Inthis manner, oil pressure from the main driving engine oil pump of thepumper is controlled so as to regulate the carburetor setting for theengine to maintain a predetermined desired output pressure for the pumpI3.

In starting up the pumper, assume that a pumping pressure of lbs. persquare inch is required for the hose lines to be put in operation. Byadjusting the handwheel |23 of the control unit 18 to the point where150 lbs. desired pressure is indicated on the governor pressuregaugev81, a pressure of 150 lbs. per square inch will be provided in thepressure chamber 15 against the diaphragm 12. In view of the fact thatthe driving engine and the pump |3 have not yet developed this pressure,the inlet ball valve 44 will be held closed against the seat 52 and thedischarge ball valve 48 will be held open away from the seat 5,9, asshown Figure 4. This allows .fluid pressurein the pressure chamber 32 ofthe cylinder .29 to be expelled through the discharge ball valve 4 8under the action oi the compression Spring .3,3 moving the piston rod 28and piston to the position 30o up against the stop screw 30o which inturn opens the throttles I9 of Vthe carburetors to increase the speedand power of the engine and increase the discharge ofthe pump 1 3. Asthepump pressure approaches the desired 1.50 lbs. per square inch, the samepressure developes in the chamber 6l behind the diaphragm 64 so that thedischarge ball valve 48 is also closed against the seat 59 and abalanced condition thus results.

With the pump operating under the above bal.- anced condition, assumethat one or more discharge outlet l1-I8 are closed and the powerrequirements correspondingly reduced. closing of these outlets willcause an increased pressure on the discharge of lthe pump which will becorrespondingly reflected in the pressure chamber 61 behind thediaphragm 64 which will counteract the pressure established in the presi sure chamber 'I5 behind the diaphragm 'I2 by the control unit 18,holding the discharge ball valve 48 closed and opening the inlet ballvalve 44 as shown in Figure 5. This allows additional fluid to enter thepressure chamber 32 of the cylinder 29 to move the piston 30 against thespring 33, forcing the piston toward a position in which the throttlesare closed. This movement continues until once more a balance isobtained between the pressure established by the control unit 18 and thedischarge pressure or the pump.

Having thus fully set vforth and described this invention, what isclaimed is:

1. In a governor for a nre pump having a main driving engine, acarburetor for controlling Vthe operation of said engine, a water Dumpdriven from said engine, and an oil pump for and driven by said engine,a fluid pressure actuator connected to regulate said carburetor, acontrol valve mechanism connected in series between said actuator and,said oil pump, means for actuating said valve mechanism solely from theoutput pressure of said water pump to regulate duid pressure ilow fromsaid oil pump to said fluid pressure actuator, and further manuallycontrolled means connected to actuate said valve mechanism in oppositionto the actuation of the valve mechanism by the output pressure of thewater pump so as to regulate said fluid pressure actuator for saidcarburetor to maintain a predetermined output pressure for said waterpump.

2. In a governor for a re pump having a main driving engine, acarburetor for controlling the operation of said engine, a Water pumpdriven from said engine, and an oil pump for and driven by said engine,a fluid pressure actuator connected to regulate said carburetor, acontrol valve mechanism connected in series between said actuator andsaid oil pump, means for actuating said valve mechanism solely from theoutput pressure of said Water pump to regulate fluid pressure flow fromsaid oil pump to said fluid pressure actuator, and further manuallycontrolled means connected to actuate said valve mechanism in oppositionto the actuation of the valve mechanism by the output pressure ofthewater pump so as to regulate said uid pressure actuator for saidcarburetor to maintain a predetermined output pressure for said waterpump, said further means including a manually ad- The,

instable pressure @control unit for .maintaining a preselected opposingpressure on said control valve mechanism tothe pressure from the outuutof said water pump.

3,. a nre engine, a .main driving engine. a hydraulically actuatedengine speed regulator including, a `source of fluid pressure drivenlfrom said engine, a .liydraulic Amotor operable to control the speed ofsaid engine, a control valve connected between said source of fluidpressure and said hydraulic motor, .a water `pump driven from saidengine, means for ,actuating said control valve solely Vfrom the outputpressure of said water pump so as 'to regulate fluid pressure flow .fromsaid source of vkfluid pressure to said hydraulic motor, and apreselectable manually operated pressure ,control unit connected to saidcontrol valve to apply pressure to actuate said valve in opposition tothe actuating pressure from the output of said water pump.

'f1- `1n .a governor `control system for a nre engine pump, a control-valve mechanism having an inlet valve., and a discharge valve, a source4oi fluid pressure connected to said valves, a fluid Pressure actuatingcylinder connected to both of said valves, means for mechanicallyconnecting said cylinder to regulate the speed of the driving engine,ymeans for connecting iluid pressure solely from the output of the pumpto simultaneously actuate both o f said valves so as to open said inletvalve and -close said outlet valve to regulate flow from said source ofuid pressure to said cylinder, and a manually operated Dreselectablepressure control unit connected to simultaneously Vapply pressure toboth of said valves in .opposition to the pressure from the output Aofsaid pump so as to close said inlet valve and open said voutlet valvefor regulation of the application of said source o f fluid pressure tosaid cylinder.

5. In a goyernor control system for a fire engine pumper having, a maindriving engine, a carburetor for regulating the speed of said engine, alubricating pump driven from said engine, and a water pump driven fromsaid engine, an actuating cylinder having a reciprocatable Pistonconnected to regulate said carburetor, resilient means for normallyactuating said piston in a direction to control said carburetor toincrease ,the speed of said engine, -a fluid pressurechamber in said.cylinder behind said piston .eiTectiv-e when pressure is appliedthereto to move said piston to .control said .carburetor to decrease thespeed of said engine, a control valve means serially interconnectedbetween said lun bricating pump and .said chamber operable to controlthe application of fluid pressure to the said .chamber in said cylinder,a manually operated adjustable pressure control unit arranged to,actuelle said valve means, and means connected to said valve means andsaid water pump to simultaneously actuate said Valve means from theoutput pressure of said water pump and in opposition to the pressureapplied from lsaid manually operated adjustable pressure control unit.

6. In a governor control system for a fire engine pumper having, a, maindriving engine, a carburetor for regulating the speed of said engine, alubricating pump driven from said engine, and a Water pump driven fromsaid engine, an actuating cylinder having a reciprocatable pistonconnected to regulate said carburetor, resilient means for normallyactuating said piston in a direction to control said carburetor toincrease the speed of said engine, a fluid pressure chamber in saidcylinder behind said piston effective when pressure is applied theretoto move said piston to control said carburetor to decrease the speed ofsaid engine, a control valve means interconnected between saidlubricating pump and said cylinder operable to control the applicationof :duid pressure to the pressure chamber in said cylinder, a manuallyadjustable pressure control unit, and means for controlling said valvemeans simultaneously from the output pressure of said water pump andpressure applied from said manually adjustable pressure control unit,said last mentioned means comprising a diaphragm engaging one side ofsaid control valve means, a pressure chamber behind said diaphragm,conduit means connecting output water pressure from said water pump intosaid pressure chamber, a second resilient diaphragm engaging saidcontrol valve means in opposed relationship to said rst mentioneddiaphragm, a second pressure chamber behind said second diaphragm, andconduit means connecting said second pressure chamber to said pressurecontrol unit.

7. In a governor control system for a fire engine pumper having, a maindriving engine, a carburetor for regulating the speed of said engine, alubricating pump driven from said engine, and a Water pump driven fromsaid engine, an actuating cylinder having a reciprocatable pistonconnected to regulate said carburetor, resilient means for normallyactuatingl said piston in a direction to control said carburetor' toincrease the speed of said engine, a fluid pressure chamber in saidcylinder behind said piston effective when pressure is applied theretoto move said piston to control said carburetor to decrease the speed ofsaid engine, a control valve means interconnected between saidlubricating pump and said cylinder operable to control the applicationof fluid pressure to the pressure chamber in said cylinder, a manuallyadjustable pressure control unit, and means for controlling said valvemeans simultaneously from the output pressure of said water pump andpressure applied from said manually adjustable pressure control unit,said last mentioned means comprising a diaphragm engaging one side ofsaid control valve means, a pressure chamber behind said diaphragm,conduit means connecting output water pressure from said water pump intosaid pressure chamber, a second resilient diaphragm engaging saidcontrol valve means in opposed relationship to said rst mentioneddiaphragm, a second pressure chamber behind said second diaphragm, andconduit means connecting said second pressure chamber to said pressurecontrol unit, said pressure control unit comprising a fluid reservoir, acylinder arranged to receive a supply of fluid from said reservoir', andmanually actuable means for moving said piston to set up a predeterminedstatic pressure in said cylinder and said second pressure chamber.

8. In a control valve mechanism for a fire engine pump governor, a valvebody, an inlet ball valve, an outlet ball valve, a source of oilpressure connected to said inlet valve, a fluid pressure controlcylinder interconnected between said valves, and a discharge conduitconnected to said outlet valve, a rst set of plungers slidable in saidvalve body and engaging one side of each of said ball valves, aresilient diaphragm positioned against the ends of each of saidplungers, and a pressure chamber cover' secured to said valve body oversaid diaphragm, and means connecting water pressure from the output ofthe fire engine pump into said pressure chamber', a second set ofplungers slidable in said valve body engaging the ball valves in opposedrelation to said rst set of plungers, a resilient diaphragm positionedagainst the ends of `said second set of plungers, a second pressurechamber cover secured to said valve body over said second diaphragm, andmeans maintaining a static source of predetermined fluid pressure in thesecond pressure chamber.

9. In a control valve mechanism for a fire engine pump governor, a valvebody, an inlet ball valve, an outlet bail valve, a source of oilpressure connected to said inlet valve, a fluid pressure controlcylinder interconnected between said valves, and a discharge conduitconnected to said outlet valve, a first set of plungers slidable in saidvalve body and engaging one side of each of said ball valves, aresilient diaphragm positioned against the ends of each of saidplungers, and a. pressure chamber cover secured to said valve body oversaid diaphragm, and means connecting water pressure from the output ofthe lire engine pump into said pressure chamber', a

second set of plungers `slidable in said valve body engaging the ballvalves in opposed relation to said first set of plungers, a resilientdiaphragm positioned against the ends of said second set of plungers, asecond pressure chamber cover secured to said valve body over saidsecond diaphragm, and means maintaining a static source of predeterminedfluid pressure in the second pressure chamber, a fluid resistanceinterconnected between said inlet ball valve and said output Waterpressure from said fire engine pump, and a second fluid resistanceinterconnected between said discharge ball valve and said dischargeconduit.

RICHARD CUR'I' NEPPER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 859,327 McMullen July 9, 1907 1,093,585 Hoffman Apr. la, 19141,834,333 Church Dec. 1, 1931

